Switch-point depressor and hold-down device



Aug. 28, 1928.

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l l l I l 1,682,597 P. CAMELI SWITCH POINT DEPRESSOR AND HOLDDOWN DEVICE Filed March 19, 1927 7 v V INVENTOR. I /(z-Zfa $722921} WA; 5% A TTORNEYS Patented Aug. 28, 1928.

PHILIP CAMELI, 01E WILMINGTON, DELAWARE.

SWITCH-POINT DEPRESSOR AND HOLD-DOWN DEVICE.

Application filed March 19, 1927. Serial No. 176,688.

This invention relates to a device for de pressing and holding down switch points of railway switches when thrown to operative position.

The points of railroad switches, after repeated operation, become sufiiciently free so that when the rolling stock strikes the heels of the switch, the points are caused to rise at their free ends above the tread surfaces of the adjacent stock rails, and by reason thereof, are constantly struck by the following wheels of passing railway rolling stock so as to become battered and broken. Vhcn the switch points are thus battered and broken, the switch becomes defective and often results in the direct cause of many serious accidents due to derailing of the railway rolling stock and the like.

The primary object of the present invention is to rovide a device fordepressing and holding t own the points of railway switches so that they will not project at their free ends above the treads of the adjacent stock rails when thrown into operative position, thereby preventing the battering and breaking of the switch points and preventing the serious accidents referred to above;

A more specific object is to provide a switch point depressor and hold down device of the above kind which is simple and durable in construction as well. as eflicient in operation.

A further object is to provide a depressor and holddown device of the above kind which comprises a minimum number of durable parts and which is capable of being readily placed into practical use, expeditiously and cheaply. j

Other objects will become apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood, and the same consists in the novel form, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawing and claimed.

In the drawing, wherein like reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary top plan view illustrating a depressor and holddowndevice constructed in accordance with the present invention and operatively associated with one of the points of a railroad switch;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged transverse section taken substantially upon line 2-2 of Figurel;

Figure 3 is an enlarged longitudinal section taken substantially upon line 3-3 of Fi ure 1; and b Figure 4 is a section on-line 44 of Fi ure 1 with parts omitted. O Referring more in detail to the drawin 5 indicates the stock rails of a railroad track at the inner side of each of which is disposed the usual horizontally swinging switch point 6 movable across the upper surfaces of a pair of ad acent ties 7 upon which the stock rails 5 are fastened. The present device isshown and will be described in connection with only one switch point, as the structure is simply duplicated for each of the latter. L

In accordance with the present invention, a bar 8 is disposed to extend transversely of the track, the same having an upwardly projecting inner end portion 9 securely or rigidly fastened as at 10 to the inner side of the adjacent free end portion of the switch point 6, the bar extending outwardly past and beneath the adjacent stock rail 5 and having an upwardly and outwardly extending outer end portion 11 freely movable over and resting upon a guide rest element 12 suitably mounted upon the ties 7 at the adjacent outer slde of the associated stock rail 5 as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The bar 8 is provided with a raised intermediate portion 13 slid-V ably bearing against the under surface of the base of the adjacent stock rail 5 and forming a fulcrum about which the lever or bar 8 may tilt. This raised portion 13 is preferably formed by upwardly arching the adjacent intermediate portion of said lever or bar 8 as shown in Figure 2, the same being so located as to constantly bear against theunder surface of the rail base when the switch point is moved from open to closed position. It will thus be seen that, by reason of the upwardly and outwardly projecting outer end portion of the lover or bar 8 resting upon the guide rest 12, the lever or bar upon outward movementof the switch point 6 to operative position against the adjacent stock rail 5, whereby downward movement of the free end portion of said switch point 6 to which the bar or lever 8 is attachech'will be etlected so that said free end portion of the switch point will be depressed to not project above the tread surface of said stock rail It will also be apparent that as long as the switch point is maintained in operative position, it will be'etl'cct-ively held depressed,

thereby insuring against battering or breaktill 8 will be tilted ing of the free end of the switch point by reason of impact of the wheels of passing railway rolling stock therewith.

The guide rest 12 preferably consists of an anti-friction roller suitably ournaled upon a horizontal supporting shaft or rod 14 disposed beside the adjacent. rail 5 and parallel with the latter as well as having its ends mounted within supporting brackets 15 fixed upon the upper surfaces of the adjacent ends of ties 7.' The shaft 14 is preferably pro vided with numerous or a longitudinal series of transverse openings 16 for selective reception of cotter pins or cross keysl? or the like, adapted to be disposed at the opposite ends of the guide rest roller 12 so as to maintain the latter against endwise displacement. on the shaft lat when adjusted to any desired position longitudinally of the latter. In this way,the bar 8 may be attached to the switch point at the most desirable point between the ties 7, as near the free end as possible, and the guide rest roller 12 may be adjusted longitudinally of the shaft 14 to the proper position for underlying the adjacent end of the lever or bar 8. Obviously, suitable means may be provided for lubricating the shaft 14 where engaged by the roller 12 so as to reduce wear to a minimunnand by providing the rest member in the form of a roller 12, the friction between the parts is reduced to a minimum so that the transverse movement of the bar 8 is permitted with comparative easevfor not interfering with. the actuation of the switch points in any material way. This not only holds the switch points in its proper position but also makes the opening and closing of the switch much easier. Tie bar No. 1, designated by the reference numeral 20 is connected to the switch points 6 adjacent the swinging ends and has a lateral socket 21 to which the switch arm 22 is attached for throwing the switch points in the desired direction. i

In operation, the switch point 6 is normally swung away from the adjacent stock rail to an inoperative position, thereby permitting the outer end portion of the bar or lever 8 to lower and allowing the free end of the associated switch point to rise if it has a tendency to do so. However, upon swingingthe switch point 6 to operative position against the adjacent stock rail 5'the inclined outer end portion of the lever8 will ride over the a guide rest 12 and thereby be raised so that the bar will betilted about the fulcrum provided by the engagement of the raised portion 13 with the underside of the rail base, thereby moving the inner end of the lever 8 and the switch point 6 downwardly, so that the free end portion of said switch point to which the bar 8 is connected will be eifectread surface of the associated stock rail 5.

The switch point will be thus maintained in depressed position as long as operatively disposed, and it is thus apparent that the switch point is effectively prevented from becoming battered and broken by striking of the wheels of passing railway rolling stock thereagainst.

From the foregoing description it is believed that the construction and operation as well as the advantages of the present invention will be readily understood and apprcclatcd by those skilled in the art;

Minor changes may be made without dcparting from the spirit and scope of the in vention as claimed.

1. The combination with a horizontally movable railway switch point and an adjacent stock rail, of means to automatically positively depress the free end portion of said switch point when the latter is moved to operative position toward said stock rail, said point depressing n'ieans embodying a bar extending transversely beneath the stock rail and fixed at its inner end to the switch point.

2. The combination with a horizontally movable railway switch point and an adjacent stock rail, of means to automatically positively depress the free end portion of said switch point when the latter is moved to operative position toward said stock rail, said point depressing means embodying a bar extending transversely beneath the stock rail and fixed at its inner end to the switch point, and a stationary guide for the outer end portion of said bar at the outer side of the stock rail.

3. The combination with a horizontally movable railway switch point and an adjacent stock rail, of means to automatically positively depress the free end portion of said switch point when the latter is moved to operative position toward said stock rail, said point depressing means embodying a bar extending transversely beneath the stock rail and fixed at its inner end to the switch point, and a stationary guide for the outer end portion of said bar at the outer side of the stock rail, said bar having an inclined outer end portion.

4. The combination with a horizontally movable railway switch point and an adj accnt stock rail, of means to automatically positively depress the free end portion of said switch point when the latter is moved to 0perative position toward said stock rail, said,

point depressing means embodying a bar extending transversely beneath the stock rail and fixed at its inner end to the switch point, said bar having an upwardly and outwardly inclined outer end portion movable over and,

resting on said guide and being provided with a raised fulcrum element between its ends slidably bearing against the under'surface of the stock rail.

5. The combination with a horizontally movable railway switch point and an adjacent stock rail, of means to automatically positively depress the free end portion of said switch point when the latter is moved to 0p erative position toward said stock rail, said point depressing means embodying a bar extending transversely beneath. the stock rail and fixed at its inner end to the switch point a stationary guide for the outer end portion of said bar at the outer side of the stock rail, said guide embodying a shaft having means to rigidly mount the in a horizontal position parallel with the stock rail and an anti-friction element journaled on said shaft.

6. The combination with a horizontally movable railway switch point and an adjacent stock rail, of means to automatically positively depress the free end portion of said switch point when the latter is moved to operative position toward said stock rail, said point depressing means embodying a bar extending transversely beneath the stock rail and fixed at its inner end to the switch point, a stationary guide for the outer end portion of said bar at the outer side of the stock rail, said guide embodying a shaft having means to rigidly mount the same upon adjacent ties in ahorizontal position parallel with the stock rail, and an anti-friction element journaled on said shaft, said anti-friction element being adjustable longitudinally of said shaft and laterally of the bar.

7. The combination with a horizontally movable railway switch point and an adjacent stock rail, of means to automatically positively depress the free end portion of said switch point when the latter is moved to operative position toward said stock rail, said point depressing means embodying a bar extending transversely beneath the stock rail and fixed at its inner end to the switch point, said bar having an upwardly and outwardly inclined outer end portion movable over and resting on said guide and being provided with a raised fulcrum element between its ends slid-ably bearing against the under surface of the stock rail, said bar further having an upwardly arched portion forming said fulcrum element.

8. The combination with a horizontally same upon adjacent ties movable railway switch point and an adjacent stock rail, of means to automatically positively depress the free end portion of said switch point when the latter is moved to operative position toward said stock rail, said point depressing means embodying a bar extending transversely beneath the stock rail and fixed at its inner end to the switch point, the inner end of the bar projecting upwardly and fixed to the inner side of the switch point.

9. Switch point depressing means compris ing a bar adapted for attachment at one end to the switch point and having a raised fulcrum element adjacent said end adapted to slidably engage the under side of an adjacent stock rail, the other end of said bar being inclined upwardly and outwardly, and a guide rest for the inclined outer end of said bar.

10. The combination with a horizontally movable railway switch point, an adjacent stock rail, of a hold down device for the switch point including a rigid bar fixed to the latter and extending transversely beneath and slidably engaging the under side of the stock rail, and a guide rest for the outer end of the bar mounted beside the stock rail.

11. The combination with a horizontally movable railway switch point and an adjacent stock rail, of means to automatically positively depress the free end portion of said switch point when the latter is moved to operative position toward said stock rail, and to positively hold said switch point depressed as long as the same remains in its operative position, said point depressing means including a member fixed to and movable with the switch point and slidably engaging the under side of the stock rail;

12. The combination with a horizontally movable railway switch point and an adjacent stock rail, of means to automatically positively depress the free end portion of said switch point when the latter is moved to operative position toward said stock rail, said means embodying a lever attached to the switch point and having an intermediate fulcrum member slidably engaging the under side of the stock rail.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

PHILIP CAMELI. 

